Which Paint is better?

[*EdC*]

OK Guys.....
I need to repaint my old fiberglass MFG. I took it around to a few of the local boat shops for some pricing. I got 4 different answers to what each thought was best.
The first shop suggested we use an epoxy paint for the entire hull. The hull was originally painted or gelcoated in one color with no water line. Epoxy seems reasonable to me..
The boat is almost 40 years old, so we can only assume it was gelcoat. Kinda tuff to tell..

The second shop said he would gelcoat to the estimated water line, then use a urethane from there up. This is a lake boat, so I questioned the use of a two step process.
The third guy suggested gelcoat for everything. However, the second guy said it would fade and not keep the same shine as urethane.

Still with me...?
The last shop said, I should have the entire hull painted with Imron or Alwgrip. Said I'd have a better chance of matching the original color and is easier to maintain.
Lastly, Whew! The first guy told me that Alwgrip and Imron are urethanes, and urethanes will asorb water, and should not be used below the water line. Is that true?

I'm new to this restoration stuff, so any guidance from you ol' salts would be very much appericiated!!

Thanks,
Ed

 

[EricR]

Re: Which Paint is better?

I just used Nason Ful-Poxy. It is a two part poyurethane. I did not ask on the subject of water intursion but my boat is trailered anyway.

The Nason paint is basically Du Pont's lower cost line.

 

[tallcanadian]

Re: Which Paint is better?

i used interlux brightside. i used the roll and tip method. turned out very nice. i also used it below the water line. i used it all this year with absolutely no ill effects. now, i also trailer my boat, so it doesn't stay in the water. if your boat stays in the water all year, then you will have trouble with these paints.

 

[impman]

Re: Which Paint is better?

Imron is not just a urathane , its a true polyurathane. if you can still get it,,,Use it, hard as a rock and its not porous as stated before

 

[mudmagnet63]

Re: Which Paint is better?

ED try this site for polyurithane

http://paintforboats.com/index.html

 

[drewpster]

Re: Which Paint is better?

If you are going to pay someone else to do the work and you can afford it, I recommend having the boat re-gelcoated. However I would only trust a shop that specializes in marine refinishing and gelcoating. And I would have to see some examples of their work and check references. Doing a gelcoat job cannot be left to your local autobody shop.
Personally I prefer painting. Paint is easier to maintain and costs less. The finish using quality paint is exceptional and highly durable. The best part is I can do it myself. I use Interlux products. I am not a professional and my experience is somewhat limited. In spite of that, I have been able to get great results painting my old tug.
Whether or not topside paints can be used below the waterline has been a matter of great debate on this board. Since my boat stays in the water year round, I use topside for topside and bottom paint for bottom. It has worked well for me. Every two years I have had the boat hauled to check the bottom and to paint it if needed. It has not always needed it.
For the topsides from the deck up I use Interlux Brightside. Brightside is a single part Polyurethane paint that can be applied with a roller and a brush. It flows very well and dries to a smooth shiney finish. It cleans up great and I have not been able to chip it off regardless of my carelessness.
On the hull sides from the gunnels to the bootstripe I use Interlux Perfection. Perfection is a two-part polyurethane paint. It also can be applied using roller and brush. In my opinion Perfection is the best topside paint Interlux makes. It goes on easier than Brightside and smooths out to a great shine.
On a trailered boat I wouldn't be afraid to use either of these paints on the whole boat. I have heard no real complaints from anyone about these paints and I have had good enough luck to recommend them.